Temperature control unit



Nov. 15, 1949 G. F. zUcKER TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 27, 1944 Nav. 15, 1949 G. IF. ZUCKE'R 2,488,518

TEMPERATUREv CONTROL UNIT Filed Sept. 27, 1944v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES i TENT OFFICE 2,488,518 TEMPERATURE coriioL UNIT Gottlieb F. zucker, lohieago, 11i. Application september 27, 19'44', serial No. l555391 a claims. (c1. astucia) This invention relates to temperature control units, and particularly to such kunits as adapted for use with refrigerator 'structures and systems. Y yIt is an obf'ect of the invention to provide an imprnvedt'emperature control unit or structure of simplified Construction and operating character'- istics. More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention "to provide an improved and simplifled lte'inperati'ire control unit or structure, wherebyfthe passage of heat conducting fiuidsbetween a pairjof thermally isolated chambers, one of which is adapted for control by the other, is conL troll'ed in accordance with temperature condi'- tions prevailing respectively in said chambers, t'in a simplified and automatic manner. g

, A further objectof the invention Ais to provide an improved temperature control unit of the type stated, adapted for use with refrigeratorstrufcf tur`es,: to ,effect the cooling and heat control of.

the refrigerated compartment from the surround.-V ing atmosphere, either with or without auxiliary powerjoperated refrigerating equipment, where# by to increase the economy and efficiency ofthe refrigerating apparatuaenable decreased oper#A ati'ng'costs,` and permit the use of smaller power units, yif desired. t l

A still further-object of the invention is to 'proe vide 'anjau'tomatic temperature control unit, to enable the use in refrigeration apparatus o f the thermal cooling effects of the surrounding atmosphere, whereby to supplant or supplement s'ul othercooling means as may be provided-, such for eample as ice, or power operated refrigeration means. Y l

Various other objects, advantages and features ofthe invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain pre# ferred embodiments are set forth for piirpose'slr of ingsia'iien.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a partial assembly view cfarefifigera-k tor structure, including a temperature control unit `constructed in accordance with the principls'of the invention, applied to the refrigeration space or chamber thereof; Y w l Fig. 2 is a partial assembly View of a domf'tic refrigerator installation, incorporating the teniperature control unit f the invention;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View, vfinan enlarged scale, of the temperature control nit ofr'ig. 1; Y

l is a View similar to Fig. l3 butshowing the rvalve members of the control unit in'open position; y f v Y Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of Fig. 3 on the line 5-'15 thereof; Y

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Figs. 3 and 4 lont illustrating a modified forrn of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional viewof the stru'cffti'le 'of Fig. 6 taken as indicated by th line 'F4-'l thereof; and Y, N

Figs is a View similar to Figs. 3', land @,bnt illustrating a still further modified form of structure.

'In ``conventional refrigerator apparatus, ice, or power operated refrigeration means is used Aex'- olusively for controlling the temperature within the refrigeration space `or `compartiment to cooled. Such power operated refrigerating means may comprise an evaporator, condenser, Vrefrig eration system, a brine circulating system, or vair circulation system wherein lthe air is cooled 'by ice jor other refrigeration means. In accordance with the present invention improved means is provided whereby the-refri`geration eif'cts ofthe atmosphere surroundiing the refrigerator may-be imparted to vthe compartment or refrigeration space to be cooled, whereby to supplant or supi plernent other cooling means which may be prei vided, Vsuch as ice, or power operated refrigeration mechanism, as-stated.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in Fig. 1, a corner portion of a refrigeratorstructur' l0 is illustrated, having insulated Walls I'l and l 2, and a refrigeration compartment |3-to-be` ccld, The temperature control unit of the in'- vention, generally indicated by the numeral I4;n

may be applied to a suitable portion of the refrig# erator, for example the wall I l as shown; V and provides means whereby thevrefrigerating effects of the outside atmosphere surrounding the refrigerator may be impartedto the refrigerationvspace i3,y in an automatic manner and in accordanee withthe temperature conditions prevailingin the refrigeration space kand in the outide ai'lnroa phare. As will be seen, the temperature control' unit extends through the refrigerator wallstrncture, "one end communicating with the' refrigra 3 tion space I3, and the other end communicating with the outside atmosphere surrounding the refrigerator, for example as indicated by the numeral I5.

In Fig. l the refrigerator I may for example be a relatively large commercial installation wherein the walls I I and I2 are contacted directly by the outside atmosphere on their exterior surfaces. In Fig. 2 an embodiment is illustrated wherein the invention is applied to an installation of the smaller household type. In this instance the refrigerator is generally indicated by the numeral I8, and comprises a body portion I9 and a hinged door portion controlled by a handle 2| as will be understood. The refrigerator may be arranged within a room of a building or the like comprising outside walls 22, 23. It will be seen that in this instance the temperature control unit, generally indicated by the numeral 24, extends both through the building wall 22 and through the wall 25 of the refrigerator structure, so that one end thereof communicates with the refrigeration space or chamber 26 to be cooled, whereas the other end extends into and communicates with the outside atmosphere, in this instance indicated by the numeral 2'I.

The construction of the temperature control unit will be best understood by reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. A tube 30 extends through the wall separating the outside atmosphere and the refrigeration chamber or compartment to be cooled, for example the wall Il as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. As will be understood, the tube 33 may comprise a pair of intertted coaxial tube portions, as shown, press-fitted into the refrigerator wall structure. The two intertted portions of the tube 30 are provided with outwardly turned flanges 3I and 32 at their ends. The flange 3l, extending to the outside atmosphere, is secured to a pair of plate members 33 and 34 by means of a series of screws 35. The plate member 33, in the particular embodiment illustrated, is relatively at and is provided with a series of openings 36 in annular spaced relation adjacent its central portion. The plate member 33 forms a valve seat for a valve member 31 adapted, when in closed position as shown in Fig. 3, to seat against the plate member and close the openings 36 whereby to prevent the transmission of fluids, such as air in the particular embodiment illustrated, through the tube 30.

The plate member 34 is of general cup shape, as shown, having a relatively flat central body portion 38, a cylindrical portion 39, and an outer ange portion secured by the screws 35. The cylindrical portion 39 of the plate is provided with a series of annularly spaced air passages or openings 40.

The body portion 38 of the plate member 34 is secured to the outer flange portion 42 of a second cup-shaped plate member, by suitable means such as welding as indicated at 43. This latter cupshaped plate member has a cylindrical portion formed with a plurality of air passages or openings 44, and has a central body portion 45 to which one end of a gas-filled bellows 46 is suitably secured, as by welding, soldering or the like. The other or shiftable end of the bellows carries a shaft or valve stem 41 extending through central openings in the plate members 33 and 34, and carrying the valve member 31. The bellows 46 is sealed and carries a suitable temperature sensitive gas which is expanded upon a temperature increase, the bellows thus constituting a thermostat or temperature sensitive element.

operable to close the valve 3'I against the valve plate or seat 33 when the atmosphere I5 to which the bellows is subjected is above a predetermined temperature. The openings 44 permit circulation of the atmospheric air around the bellows, so that the bellows is readily sensitive to the prevailing atmospheric temperature conditions.

A wire screen 49 is secured to the peripheral outer flange of the plate 33 and to the flange 42 of the outer cup-shaped member. It will be seen that when the valve 31 is in open position, as shown in Fig. 4, atmospheric air is free to circulate through the screen 49, through the openings 40 of the plate 34, and through the openings 36 of the valve plate or seat member 33 into and through the tube 39.

The temperature control unit is similarly constructed at its opposite end which extends into the refrigeration compartment I3 to be cooled, with the exception that the operable valve member is in this instance arranged to be opened when the temperature in the compartment I3 rises above a predetermined value. More particularly, the tube flange 32 is secured to a pair of plate members 5I and 52 similar in structure and purpose to the plate members 33 and 34 previously described. To this end the plate member 5I is provided with circumferentially disposed central openings 53 cooperable with the shiftable control valve member 54, whereas the cup-shaped plate member 52 provides a support for a second cup-shaped plate member 55 within which is secured the expansible bellows 56. The cup member 55 is provided with side Wall openings 5'I, similar in function and purpose to the openings 44 previously described, so that the bellows is subjected to the temperature of the air within the refrigerated compartment I3. The bellows 56 is sealed, and provided with a temperature sensitive gas whch expands upon increase in temperature. The free end of the bellows carries a stem 58 upon which the valve member 54 is secured. It will be seen that when the temperature in the compartment I3 raises beyond a predetermined value, the valve member 54 is shifted away from its seat plate or to open position as shown in Fig. 4. When the valve is open air may circulate from the tube 30 through the valve plate openings 53, openings 59 provided in the plate member 52, and the cylindrical screen member 60 into the refrigerated compartment I3, As will be understood, the screens 49 and 60 prevent the flow of any foreign matter from the atmosphere into the refrigerated compartment.

In the operation of the structure, let it be assumed that the temperature of the refrigerated compartment is to be maintained between 50 F. and 55 F. The bellows 46 will accordingly be so constructed, and the parts so arranged, that the valve 31 will be shifted from closed position as shown in Fig. 3, to open position as shown in Fig. 4 when the temperature drops to or below 55. In other Words, the bellows 46 will be contracted sufficiently to open the valve whenever the temperature of the outside atmosphere is at or below 55. The bellows 56 and its associated parts will be arranged so that the valve member 54 will be shifted from closed position as shown in Fig. 3 to open position as shown in Fig. 4 whenever the temperature of the refrigerated compartment I3 rises above 50. In other words, the gas within the bellows is expanded sumciently to open the valve whenever the temperature within the refrigerated compartment I3 is at or above 50. It will thus be seen that whenever the temperature of the outside atmosphere .is below 55, or posv sessedf of the'fdesired-1eoolingfcapacitiesfardiffthe temperaturerof-itlie" refrigerated `oompartrrre'nt t3 isabovel' 0,"fboth valvermembersl31ia1rd4willbe openedfand thef eoolingie'ifedts ff thefatmospliere may `be 'i transmitted yiinto ithe refrigerated f'co'mp'artment :by the fcirciation ffair f'fifom lthe atmosphere into 'the vvcompar-trnent'.- However. shouldltlrefternperature 4he'ro'utsideatfnosphere riseabovesliaf'sotnat-itas kfn'o21ongerfp'ossessenzrof the desired. cooling-properties, vafalve Vat"illJelosef; orshouldlthe?temperaturewitliinitheirefrigerated compartment drop fbelow 5U-ilse'thatfcooling thereof is fno ilonger desired, lval-veli @will fciose; the 'closingof either waive being sufi'e-lentftoiprephereandthefrefrigerated chamber.

It will thus be seen that Lautc'mfatienreansiis provided, controlled' inf'accordance'wthfthememperature `#conditions tof itnefoutsi'd'e :atmosphere and l-of itl-re fcompartment to l'be' refrigerated, vIso thatth'efcoolingf.eiiectsIoftheatmospheremaybe u'tiiized, v:automaticall-y, wvherrever the iatmos here is A:possesaetl of 'the'rdesired-oolingipropertiesfand the frefrigera'te'd compartment reduireis'ooolin'g. Therev is4 nosdanger'of'fheatilosslto itl'reioutsi'defatmosphere, riwherrlthetemperature :thereof-becomes too Awarminor is 4there'iiainy possibility ofthegrerigeratedcompartment being Ainidiily cooled-,l and the articles therein vundulyttilii-lleclvor frozen'. -iIlt istofbefunderstcod'thatfthetemperaturesf=referred to are illustrativefonly, :and may Ibeisel'el't d `in .accordance with the-irequiremeritsfoi anyfpartie lar installation.

'It will 'lbe fsee'n @that itl'ie'ltemperature fcfo'iitrol unit, 'where fatmosphere conditions 'lare isu'italzile. may be kused yas lthe isole :cooling meansy for-"ithe compartmentitofberefrigerated; `oritariay be fused as an auxiliary Eto Tice, :or other flairtificfiallibr Lr-rife'- chanical :cooling Y.means provided 'for the zlifefr-igerated chambenfwhen Qused as an auxiliary to artificial cooling means provided, the temperature control unito'f' the invention `*in no way interferes with-the operation thereof. On thecontrary it operates automatically-ltofsupplement the artificial refrigeration with the cooling effects of the atmosphere,-whenever-'corrditionsare suitable. The cooling requirements -of -fthe articial :means are thus @reduced permittingthe'nse of 4.srxraller cooling capacities, and increasing economy anid efciency.

The outside .atmosphere I5 may in effect be regarded as a "'second' chamber, automatically placeduin communication the refrigerated chamber 13, when temperaturenonditiotsedthin the two chambers, individually, are in predetermined condition.

In certain instances it may be desirable to provide forced draft circulation means, automatically controlled, so as to be energized whenever both valves are open. Such means is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. A spider support 65 is disposed within the tube for supporting an electric motor 66 which operates an air fan 61.. A switch 68 is secured to the valve stem 41 operable to engage the cooperable fixed switch contact 69, whenever the valve member 31 reaches predetermined open position. Similarly a switch Contact 1 secured to the valve stem 58 is adapted to engage a cooperable xed switch contact 1I when thevalve 54 moves to a predetermined open position. These switches are connected in series in a control circuit (not shown) for energizing the motor 66. It will be seen that when both valves are open the motor 66 is energized and the fan 61 operated to provide a forced air circulation from the out- 'Ill side v" atmosphere-finto the refrigerated VT"cb'irlpa'i't- Vtinted/generallyY similar Y to lthat v'shown in Figs and Qliiexc'ep'tfthat snap 'orquick:actionfoperating means is -providedfforishifting the control jv'alve members. 'In this instance-Kline tube 'member 30a, corresponding `in function 'and 'purpose toftlie tube 1`3l1 previously described, 'is secured Y'at-drie 'en'dtc avalve iseat plate 33o and 4to cup-shaped plate members Staand 45a as linf-the embodiment rpreviouslydescribed. However, in this 'instance thebel'lows ffia'carri'es a stein '15 to which yi'sj-secured an 'operating 'arm '160i general k| -'shap"e and being axially shiftable, vas'the bellows "is expanded'b'etween 'a pair of inturned guidingprb'- ljecti'ons '11 'and 13, vFig. 7, `struck inwardly frdm the "wall .portion 39a of Atl'ie'plate cup 'member-3io. An operating lever "19 is '.pivotally vconnectedfat oneend to the 'projection '18 and "a't 'its other end to the valve stem 41a. A tensionspri'ng is "cfohnected at-one end to the 'operating arm "le andai; its other end to a kmid-point of thelever '19. It win 'be yseen that when Ythe bellows tea nasexpanded a vpredeterrnn'eol amount yfrom the ps'ition shown, the operating 'arm l16 'will be 'carried downwardly suinciently 'to 'move the outer end of thespring downwardly past the outer"iivo`t point '(81 '0f 'the liever T9, whereupon the valve 31a will "be closed with a action. Thevalve will .be opened with a vsnap action in a similar manner upon contraction ofthe bellows` A collar 82 "carried by 'the valve stem 41o-limits the opening movement of the valve. 'Similar 'operating mechanism maybe provided `lfor the valve 54d, except that Vthe latter opens inwardly, as in 'the Case 'of "the Vvalve Se previously described.

'Quick acting valve operating mechanism as illustrated in Figs. 6 and I'/1 may in certain instances-be desired. yit will be seen that in this instance there will be a .predetermined temperaturedifferential between 'the opening ofthe valves, andthe closing thereof, which .may be made of greaterV or lesser magnitude by the spacing oi? the parts, in reference to the expanding vmovements of :the bellows. d l

In Fig. -8 an embodiment is illustrated incor` porating electrical operati-ng mechanism. In'this instance the valve 31h has its stem 41h elongated for cooperation with a pair of electromagnets 85 and 86. The electromagnet 85 is operable, when energized, upon a suitable armature secured to the valve stem, so as to shift the valve to closed position. The electromagnet 86 is similarly operable when energized to shift the valve member to open position. The bellows 4612 is arranged to operate a switch member 81 arranged to bridge switch contacts 88 when in predetermined contracted position as shown, and to bridge a pair of contacts 89 when expanded to a predetermined position. A switch member 98, secured to the valve stem 41, is adapted selectively to engage either of a pair of contacts SI and 92 as the valve stem is shifted. The valve stem also carries a cam 93, the pointed end of which is adapted to engage a frame carried ball detent 94, spring urged into engagement with the cam by means of a compression spring 95,

In operation, and assuming the valve 31h to be in open position, it will be seen that a predetermined expanding movement of the bellows 4Gb will cause the bridging of the contacts 89. This causes the closing of an electrical circuit from line L1 through the contacts 89, through the electromagnet B5, and through contacts 9| and S to line L2. The energization of electromagnet 85 causes the shifting of the valve toward closed position. As the contact 90 is shifted away from the contact 9|, the energizing circuit is broken.

However, the circuit is not broken until after the mid-point of the cam 93 has been shifted below the spring pressed detent ball 9A, so that the ball completes the shifting of the valve to fully closed position. To open the valve it will be seen that upon a predetermined contraction of the bellows the contacts 88 are bridged thus energizing the electromagnet 86 through the contacts 92 and 99. After the valve stern has been moved suiiiciently by the electromagnet to raise the center of the cam 93 past the ball 94, contacts 92, 9D are broken deenergizing the electromagnet, and the detent ball completes the valve shifting movement. Similar operating mechanism is provided for the valve 54h, except that the valve opens inwardly, as previously described.

Itis obvious that various changes may be made in the specic embodiments set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of at least one of a pair of thermally isolated uid containing spaces comprising a rst valve member, means associated with one of said spaces for operating the valve member in accordance with the temperature in said space, a second valve member, means associated with the other of said spaces for operating the second valve member in accordance with the temperature in said other space, a passageway connecting said spaces controlled by said valves, the flow of fluid within said passageway being blocked by the closing of either of said valves, fluid pumping means for propelling a heat conducting fluid through said passageway, and means operated by the opening of both of the valve members to energize the pumping means.

2. A temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of at least one of a pair of thermally isolated fluid containing spaces comprising a rst valve member, means associated with one of said spaces for opening the valve member when the temperature in said space is above a predetermined value, a second valve member, means associated with the other of said spaces for opening the second valve member when the temperature in said other space is below a predetermined value, a passageway connecting said spaces controlled by said valves, the flow of fluid within said passageway being blocked by the closing of either of said valves, the first named predetermined temperature being no greater than the second named predetermined temperature, fluid pumping means for propelling a heat conducting nuid through said passageway, and means operated by the opening of both of the valve members to energize the pumping means.

3. A temperature control unit for controlling the temperature between predetermined limits of one of a pair of thermally isolated fluid containing spaces by means of temperature conditions in the other of said spaces comprising a rst valve member, means associated with one of said spaces for opening said valve member when the temperature in said space is above one limit of the desired temperature range within the space to be controlled, a second valve member, means associated with the other of said spaces for opening the second valve member when the temperature in said space is below the other limit of the desired temperature range within the space to be controlled, a passageway connecting said spaces controlled by said valve members, the flow of fluid within said passageway being blocked by the closing of either of said valves, electrically driven uid pumping means for propelling a heat conducting fluid through said passageway, and switch members operated by the opening of both of said valve members to energize the pumping means.

GOTTLIEB F. ZUCKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,928,332 Downs Sept. 26, 1933 2,037,155 Stuart Apr. 14, 1936 2,327,536 Locke Aug. 24, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,455 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1885 

